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The goal is that the decoding is done by trusted hardware, not by software keys. So you can run VMs and open source, but they won't have the keys to decrypt the

The goal is that the decoding is done by trusted hardware, not by software keys. So you can run VMs and open source, but they won't have the keys to decrypt the content. Same deal with HDCP, where PCIe is treated as an unsafe bus, so data goes encrypted from the kernel to the GPU to the display device (something like that). It's also why sometimes people have trouble watching Netflix or so on, because some part fails. Apple TV + Toshiba TV at my parents' has this problem maybe 1/10 times we try to play. But you're right that encrypting a million end user devices is pointless if there is even one unencrypted point. No doubt hardware companies, movie companies, and Netflix are already wetting themselves with the prospect of having no unencrypted holes left. Still seems highly unlikely to actually work - piracy finds a way.

TeMPOraL 12y ago
Worst comes to worst, pirates will just start modifying legit HD screens to scan image directly from pixels (or pixel controllers) and record audio straight from the digital output and/or speaker hardware. You can't prevent movies being ripped off without actually DRM-ing human brains. Otherwise there always has to be an unencrypted channel that goes to our eyes and ears.
mike_hearn 12y ago
The goal of DRM is not to kill piracy 100% and anything else is abject failure, it's to raise the cost of engaging in piracy to the point where just buying the movie seems easier and cheaper.
- MichaelGG 12y ago
  You can say that, but the fact that they do things like HDCP (normal users aren't going to do multi gigabit/s raw captures) would speak otherwise. Engaging in piracy is as simple as a search and download. Unless this tech works 100%, piracy will always remain that easy.
  - mike_hearn 12y ago
    The idea is if only a handful of professionals are uploading high quality rips, then it becomes feasible for law enforcement to investigate and take them down. Sort of like professional DVD pirates where they have actual pressing plants. If everyone is uploading stuff from home, it's harder. Regardless, they didn't stop at HDCP. Check out Cinavia for an interesting approach to closing the analogue hole.

TeMPOraL 12y ago

Worst comes to worst, pirates will just start modifying legit HD screens to scan image directly from pixels (or pixel controllers) and record audio straight from the digital output and/or speaker hardware. You can't prevent movies being ripped off without actually DRM-ing human brains. Otherwise there always has to be an unencrypted channel that goes to our eyes and ears.

mike_hearn 12y ago

The goal of DRM is not to kill piracy 100% and anything else is abject failure, it's to raise the cost of engaging in piracy to the point where just buying the movie seems easier and cheaper.

MichaelGG 12y ago
You can say that, but the fact that they do things like HDCP (normal users aren't going to do multi gigabit/s raw captures) would speak otherwise. Engaging in piracy is as simple as a search and download. Unless this tech works 100%, piracy will always remain that easy.
- mike_hearn 12y ago
  The idea is if only a handful of professionals are uploading high quality rips, then it becomes feasible for law enforcement to investigate and take them down. Sort of like professional DVD pirates where they have actual pressing plants. If everyone is uploading stuff from home, it's harder. Regardless, they didn't stop at HDCP. Check out Cinavia for an interesting approach to closing the analogue hole.